SEVEN CHAKRAS

A yogic term, derived from the Sanskrit for 'wheel', used to denote a series of circular vortices on the life force of a person, at which points energies are received, transformed and distributed.

Chakras are believed to play an important role in physical, mental and emotional health, and in spiritual development. They are invisible to ordinary sight, but clairvoyants describe them as small depressions in the bodies of spiritually undeveloped persons, but as larger coruscating and blazing whirlpools in more highly developed individuals.

The seven most accepted chakras are the base of the spine, a spot just below the navel, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, the brow, and the top of the head. There are three others, located in the lower pelvis; these are not used except in black magic.

The following is a general summary of the physical locations and elements associated with each chakra. Over the years it has been noticed some minor discrepancies between how different people "define" each chakra, (particularly the second & third chakras) but the differences have only been minor. Certainly the colors and locations of the chakras have always been consistent. The base chakra extends down and the crown chakra extends up...the chakras in between have vortexes both to the front of the body and to the back. The first chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with red. It is the chakra that governs our physical existence, our bodies and our health. The second chakra is located in the area of the womb (or thereabouts for men) and is associated with the color orange. This chakra governs creativity, and some say emotion. (I associate emotion with the heart chakra). The third chakra is located at the solar plexus and is associated with the color gold (yellow). It is associated with the will or desire. The fourth chakra (the middle chakra in the chain of seven) is the heart chakra and is associated with the color green, and also the color rose, which is the "color of love." This chakra is connected with emotion and human love. The fifth chakra is located at the throat and is a bright blue. It governs communication and personal magnetism. It is the chakra that most influences intercommunication and our "personas." It is also the link between emotion and thought. The sixth chakra is located at the third eye (mid-forehead) and is indigo (deep purply/blue). This chakra is associated with thought (though some say the third chakra governs thought) and with vision, particularly psychic vision. It is also the chakra of spiritual love and connection.

The seventh chakra is at the crown of the head, and is violet fading to white further away from the body. This chakra is our connection to our "higher selves" and to the "divine." It is associated with wisdom and integration of our eternal selves with our current physical selves. It is like our umbilical cord to "God."

When all the chakras are "whirling," open, bright and clean, then our chakra system is balanced. When a chakra becomes blocked, damaged, or disturbed with residual energy, then our physical and emotional health can be affected. Often this occurs habitually as the result of negative or incomplete belief systems. The effects of our habits, feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and desires can be found in our chakras.

For example, if you eat poorly (alot of processed food, for instance) and don't exercise, chances are your root (red) chakra is going to become sluggish, darkened and dull. If you "close off" your emotions because they're painful or overwhelming, your heart chakra is likely to become tight and closed and block emotional energy. If you, on the other hand, are extremely centered in your intellect, you may have a bulging and bright third eye chakra but a disproportionately small heart chakra or root chakra or womb chakra. Or perhaps you're cerebrally focused on finding answers to deep questions about "reality." (as I was for a while). In the West we tend to value the upper chakras over the lower chakras. This probably has it's roots in our ancestors' religious aversion to the "flesh" and their focus on the rewards of "heaven." The goal is a strong, clear, balanced energy system. The more open, clear and balanced the chakras, the more energy can flow through your system. This energy is essential for vitality, health, and continued growth on all levels.

Is there a difference between "chakras" and "kundalini"? I understand that a person has seven major chakras, plus others located in the hands and feet, etc., but where does kundalini fit into it? Is it energy focused in a specific area, or a description of a particular type of energy?

AK,
Thank you very much for the invite. I look forward to participating in some discussions here. And balancing, of course, I found has been an essential element for such strong pulls I have. And you have already helped me so much through guided meditation through my chakras...I felt a continued focus for "strong, clear balancing of this energy system" fit just perfect! Thanks again!
Much Love,
Audrey